Limerick weighs $30 million plan for new community center
Township officials are considering a 73,000-square-foot facility, but projections show it will require taxpayer support for decades.
By Mariana Flores ·
Limerick Township is evaluating a proposal to construct a 73,000-square-foot community center in Limerick Community Park. The estimated cost of the project stands at $30 million. The concept originally appeared in a 2016 capital plan that utilized funds from the township's sale of its sewer system to Aqua PA. That earlier plan reserved $20 million from the $75 million sale proceeds for the center, but the funds were later redirected to complete the new township building and two fire stations.
Township Manager Dan Kerr stated that the remaining balance of approximately $60 million has been invested since the sewer sale. The interest generated from that investment has primarily been used to prevent property tax increases. The township has already committed $140,000 to Gorski Engineering for a preliminary study of the project. Current financial thinking suggests the construction costs would be covered through a mix of borrowing, grants, sponsorships, and a township contribution.
A finance study by the firm PFM outlines the long-term costs. The township would pay $1.51 million annually in bond payments over 30 years. With interest estimated at 5.5 percent, the cumulative cost of the bond would increase by $23.4 million. Township Engineer Khaled Hassan noted that the additional traffic from the center would likely require a new traffic signal on Swamp Pike, a second access point to the park, and added stormwater capacity.
Angela Russell, the township’s parks and recreation director, presented data to the board on Oct. 13 to justify the project. She reported a 27 percent increase in registrations and a 30 percent rise in department revenues since 2023. The waitlist for the Camp Shamrock summer program grew from 42 children in 2024 to 285 children in 2026. Russell also noted that the cost of renting space in Spring-Ford school buildings is rising, and the school district has asked the township to reduce participant numbers.
The concept plan now includes a 416-seat theater to support arts programs. Russell argued that the center would provide flexible, multi-purpose space for the entire community. Supervisor Kara Shuler, who is outgoing, called the project "beautiful and perfect for what the community needs" but expressed concern about the ongoing financial burden. She warned that maintenance, repairs, and program costs would impact every future budget.
PFM projections indicate the center will generate $1.85 million in revenue in its first year, with 41 percent coming from summer camps. Revenues are expected to grow by 4 to 5 percent annually. However, expenses are predicted to rise by 39 percent over the same period, reaching $3.03 million by 2037. The operating cost to the township would start at $326,000 in the first year and drop to $310,000 by the tenth year. Cumulatively, Limerick taxpayers would cover nearly $20 million of the center’s annual deficit over that decade. Kerr observed that he does not know of any community center that is fully self-sustaining.
The supervisors board is scheduled to adopt the 2027 budget for advertisement on Nov. 17. Final adoption of the budget is expected in December.
